FRANCE

In France, We offer six different types of programs:

• Homestay experiences in July
• Tutorial studies in July in Tours (1 teacher and 4 or 5 students)
• Language courses in Tours and Nice throughout the year
• Vivons à Paris: a very unique language program based on a full study and discovery of Paris
• Spring school and homestays
• School and homestay experiences throughout the year - term, semester, academic year

All our language courses are given by specialized teachers truly dedicated to the students they have in charge and enjoying a wide experience in teaching to foreigners. The course contents are most active and imply a permanent participation of each student.

For students choosing a homestay or a school and homestay program, our team of teachers throughout the country is in permanent contact with them as well as the school and host family during the stay.

Pocket money:
It will be necessary only for personal expenses and eventually for public transportation. However, temptations are expected and we do advise around 75 Euros per week for short stays. For stays over two months, we do advise at least 200 Euros per month.

Public Transportation:
It is included in the price for the Vivons à Paris program. For other programs including language courses, it is safer to plan around 50 Euros per month to cover that cost.

 

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Homestay experience

Program reference: FH4 – 4 weeks
Program reference: FH7 – 7 weeks
Program reference: FHP4 – 4 weeks

Age requirement: 13 – 18

Language requirement: minimum 2 years of high school French or equivalent

Program Description:
French host families in France volunteer to host Canadian exchange students because they are proud to allow foreign teenagers to learn firsthand about their culture and Language. Students may be placed in any part of France. When a student suggests a specific area, we are doing our best to meet his wish but unfortunately, we cannot commit ourselves on this. It is important as well to understand that July is a vacation month in France and that many families take their student to their vacation home.

Each participant must be willing to fully share the life of his "French parents" as he will be considered as a full member of their family. Students should therefore be open-minded, easy going and willing to adapt to cultural differences. Of course, they should be willing as well to improve their Language skills.

Upon arrival in France, students will be met at the airport by a coordinator and escorted to the meeting point with their host family. During the stay, they will be in contact with their area coordinator who has been responsible for choosing their host family and who is fully bilingual. In France, all coordinators are English teachers.

Visit of Paris!
After your 4 week July homestay in France, you may choose to spend your last few days on a guided tour of Paris, The City of Lights. This dynamic tour will lead you through Paris’ many historical sights and includes: Le Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and a Bateau Mouche ride along the Seine, a visit to Versailles, the Champs Elysées and dinner in Montmartre.

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Tutorial in Tours

2 weeks of tutorial in the morning and excursions in the afternoon, 1 full week with host family and 3 days of visit of Paris

Program reference: FHTP3 – 3 weeks

Age requirement: 13 - 18

Language requirement: minimum 1 year of high school French or equivalent

Program Description:
Tours, located in the Loire valley, is an ancient city as well as a university town. The tutorial program is made of a maximum of 4 or 5 students of similar language skill levels. Intensive work on the accent as well as a brush up of grammatical structures are part of the curriculum which of course includes comprehension and communication courses based on texts dealing with French modern culture. Afternoons are spent on excursions. The school is situated in the heart of the city center, in the recently restored and amazingly charming ancient town, which is a pedestrian section near the University. It is a small school, run by an extremely dynamic young team of teachers, and each student is given very special attention.

Accommodations:
Participants are hosted by families living in Tours and its immediate vicinity. Host families receive a minimal fee for room and board as the students must be placed in a very specific area. Students spend evenings and weekends and the last week entirely with their host family.

Class Size:
The tutorial program is made up of a maximum of 4 to 6 students of similar language levels.

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Language study in Tours or Nice & homestay

Language requirement: open to all levels

Program Description:
This program is designed as an intensive language course for beginners as well as advanced students in French. Courses are offered in two language schools which we have selected for their dynamism and high teaching qualities. In both school, teachers are in their late twenties or early thirties, are passionately fond of what they are doing and our students just love them!

One is situated in the heart of the old city of Tours, close to the Loire River. The city of Tours, which has approximately 200,000 inhabitants, is known as both a university and historical town. In its vicinity are among the most famous castles of France, such as Amboise, Chenonceaux, Azay le Rideau, Rigny Ussé: The Sleeping Beauty Castle, Villandry: The Garden of France, and many others. Tours boasts a reputation for offering the best accent in the country.

The other is situated on the French Riviera in the famous city of Nice. Besides an amazingly friendly atmosphere, the young team of teachers offers dynamic and hyper interactive teaching with the most performing methods.

Host Families:
Participants will be hosted by area families. Host families receive a minimal fee for room and board as is customary for a program where students must be placed in a very specific area.

Class Size:
Upon arrival, participants are tested on their level of French and assigned to a class accordingly. Class size does not exceed 10 students.

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Vivons à Paris au 21è siècle

Reference: FHLP3 – 3 weeks

Age requirement: 15 - 18

Language requirement: at least two years of French

Program Description:
This program is under the responsibility of a very experienced team of French teachers. It is conceived for students between 15 and 17 with at least 2 years of French and having a very strong interest in arts and history. It is important to note that, even though students will use public transportation, this program requires a lot of walking, which they should fully enjoy. The program is prepared for groups of 4 to 6 students of different nationalities.

The goal of the program is to allow foreign students to study the French language and discover Paris in details. The daily visits of Paris are used as a teaching support. Students will have to build up a diary and bring the necessary material to gather documents, pictures etc.

Afternoon visits are dedicated to a very thorough visit of Paris including history and actual living in Paris:

Students will be hosted in the area of Enghien (20 min north of Paris - famous for its lake and horse track). Host families are compensated. Weekends will be spent with families. Students will be provided a "carte orange" - train (RER) pass for the daily visits.

Students willing to prolong their stay up to 4 weeks with their host family will have to cover an extra cost of $280.

The price indicated in the chart includes everything: airport pick up, lunches 5 days per week, all entrance fees and transportation, and le feu d'artifice du 14 juillet on a special Bateau Mouche in the evening…

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SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMS

Spring school and homestays
For teachers and their class (individual students may apply - see below)

Reference: FHS2 – 2 weeks (ask for exact dates)

Age requirement: 15 - 18

Language requirement: minimum 2 years of high school French or equivalent

Program description:
This experience is originally conceived for teachers who are eager to offer their students a genuine cultural experience: sharing the life of a French student for two weeks and discover the French schooling system. Teachers willing to undertake this very unique experience are provided with full documentation on the French schooling system to prepare their experience with their students. During the stay, students are given a diary that they have to use at school in order to observe the French schooling system with a sharp eye and benefit from attending class.

This experience is offered by our team of English teachers in France, who are so proud to help their Canadian colleagues in their endeavors. During the stay, they are in permanent contact with the teachers, the students and their host families. Some complementary local excursions can be offered if required, as well as a visit of Paris at the end of the stay. When a teacher wishes a specific area, we will do our best to meet his/her expectations. Independent students may participate if they wish. This 2 weeks experience during Spring break in France is recommended for mature students who are experienced in travel, can make connecting domestic flights without assistance, and are comfortable without chaperone supervision while in France. Of course, they are met upon arrival in Paris. Independent students have the same access to our support network during their stay abroad. An English-speaking representative will be their local contact. Escorts abroad will meet them upon arrival and departure, and will accompany them all the way to their host family and back to Paris at the end of their homestay.

Host families:
Host families in France volunteer to host Canadian exchange students because they are interested in learning about our culture and language. Since coordinators are throughout the country, independent students may be placed in any part of France. Participants will improve their language skills and experience a rich, traditional culture, while enjoying the daily life of a French family.

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Academic year or semester school and homestay

Application deadline: April 1st (at a later date, please contact us)

Program description:
Whether you study at a high school in the winding streets of Paris, a typical city in an American suburb, or in the serene beauty and rich culture of the Loire Valley, studying abroad will be a true personal challenge as well as a life-changing experience. You will gain a global perspective that will allow you to grasp the realities of life and acquire a true understanding of human relativity. Living abroad will allow you to completely immerse yourself in a new culture, language, and way of life. The interpersonal skills, self-confidence, and experience you will gain through your semester or year abroad will make an important impact on your college and career goals.

Host Families:
Host families are very carefully selected and may live in any region of the country. They are fully volunteers, warm and caring people who gladly open their home and hearts to our students. Their only hope is to learn more about your culture and to share their family and lifestyle with their new "son" or "daughter". As a member of the family, you will participate in all family activities, including meal-time, and assume the same responsibility as your host sisters and brothers.

School:
You will attend school near your new home and be requested to attend all classes. Upon arrival, you will be helped and oriented by your Terra Lingua coordinator and/or a school counselor to choose the different subjects you will want to take. Some will be compulsory; some others will be your choice. Within the school, you will be expected to strictly follow the school rules, to attend all classes, to do your homework, and to be a successful student. The first month will be the hardest because of the language. You should however never hesitate to ask for help to your teachers or the host family in any field. Your success at school is a crucial part in the success of your experience.

Support Network:
All students abroad have a coordinator in their host community, as well as a national office. They are always available and eager to assist you throughout your entire stay abroad. You will be able to count on them for any support you need. Before departure, an orientation meeting will be organized. All students as well as one of their parents must participate.